On a colony planet, the original colonists have set themselves up as Hindu gods to rule over this new world of man. But a few amongst them do not beliOn a colony planet, the original colonists have set themselves up as Hindu gods to rule over this new world of man. But a few amongst them do not believe in this artificial supremacy, necessarily maintained by the systematic destruction of all technological advances on the planet, preserving a perpetual Dark Age of man. One of those is Sam, who uses the preaching of Buddhism to create a rift between the people and their Hindu gods. With ever-changing, and often untrustworthy allies, Sam wages war upon war against the gods, in order to free the planet from the repression that allows some few to stand far above the rest.

As evidenced by the summary of this book (which I think sounds amazing), this book is deserving of more than three stars. But I gave it only three because the fact is...I only liked it. I didn't really like it. For me, it lacked some key elements to draw me into the story and endear me to it, including sympathetic characters and a consistent, steady plot line.

Zelazny starts the story off near the end of the story (nearing the final battle) and then jumps back to the very first conflict, to fill us in on Sam's history of conflict with the gods. Each chapter then often jumps significantly forward in time, switching up on characters while giving readers only the barest clues to ground them in the story and help them follow along. This can be challenging reading, if you were expecting to be able to cruise through it. But I thought Zelazny's format did an excellent job of heightening the tension of the climax: you know you're almost there when you're back at the beginning of the story. Plus, you now know so much more about the characters involved.

Lord of Light is chock full of amazing ideas and interwoven characters, and offers up some really excellent dialogue-only scenes. Well worth reading if you're at all into science fiction....more

This "self-help" book by best-selling memoirist Augusten Burroughs is not what long-time fans might expect. In fact, if you are a fan of Augusten butThis "self-help" book by best-selling memoirist Augusten Burroughs is not what long-time fans might expect. In fact, if you are a fan of Augusten but aren't very familiar with the self-help genre, you might as well skip this one. This is actually a self-help book. However, if you do read self-help, you might find this a sometimes humorous, often very alternative addition to the genre. Augusten does a great job of countering some of the common and often misleading self-help fluff that's out there, like that positive affirmations work (or, I should say, work for everyone).

Those sections that I could relate to in some way, I found interesting and enjoyable to listen to. (I always listen to Augusten's books in audio because he reads them himself and does a great job at it.) I also enjoyed any section where he talked about his own personal experiences relating to the subject. However, any section that I couldn't really relate to--what primarily comes to mind is the very long bit on eating disorders, in the section on "How to be Skinny"--seemed to drag on a bit for me. However, of course, different people will relate to different sections. So if you're not such a big Augusten Burroughs fan, you might even just skip to the chapters that seem relevant and not read the whole thing cover to cover....more

What you think about is what will come into your life -- whether positive or negative. If you most often think about things you don't want, those areWhat you think about is what will come into your life -- whether positive or negative. If you most often think about things you don't want, those are the things that you will get.

In The Secret, Rhonda Byrne reveals the secret known to the greatest thinkers of our time -- Da Vinci, Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, etc. -- that allows you to dictate the outcomes of your own life through positive thinking and the power of self-actualization.

The audio version of this book comes complete with cheesy, feel-good music. But the message is a powerful one. Definitely worth reading. For the skeptics, there's even a chapter that touches on the science (metaphysics) behind the theory....more

The Power continues Rhonda Byrne's explorations of the secret in her first book of that name, The Secret, which explores the laws of attraction. We atThe Power continues Rhonda Byrne's explorations of the secret in her first book of that name, The Secret, which explores the laws of attraction. We attract both the good and the bad things that come into our lives. Both The Secret and The Power give the reader the knowledge and tools needed to begin to control that power by controlling our thoughts and, therefore, what we attract to ourselves.

While the first book gives a general overview of the laws of attraction and then some useful advice on how to think more positively and create positive affirmations for change, this second book focuses more on the powers of gratitude and love to attract good things. Although The Power doesn't offer anything incredibly new, only the same thing talked about with a slightly different emphasis, there is an intrinsic value in reading it just in the positive mindset it can generate within you as you read. I found that I wanted to ration it out, instead of consuming it in one big rush, because almost every time I finished reading (listening, in my case) I was practically buzzing with love and joy....more

This book is perfect for someone who doesn't know much about Buddhism and wants to set a good foundation of understanding before going into more speciThis book is perfect for someone who doesn't know much about Buddhism and wants to set a good foundation of understanding before going into more specific and in-depth readings about the topic. I particularly liked Maguire's sections on the three Buddhist forms--Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana--and the differences between them. Definitely an easy, informative, and interesting read....more

The Laws of Attraction, like The Secret, explores the how-to's of self-actualization. Put simply: what you think is what you get. This book skips a loThe Laws of Attraction, like The Secret, explores the how-to's of self-actualization. Put simply: what you think is what you get. This book skips a lot of the philosophical, historical, and general explanatory stuff that bogs down many other books on the subject and skips right to the heart of the matter: how to do it. Full of actionable tips and exercises, Laws definitely provides the fast track to getting the law of attraction to work for you. I particularly liked the tip about not focusing on the negative when you begin to attract things that are partially what you wanted but still don't quite fit the bill. It's so easy to go off track at this point, but Losier's insights definitely help one stay the course....more

This is a very fun and funny collection of anecdotes, accompanied by often humorously-related famous quotes, about knitting. Written for the knitting-This is a very fun and funny collection of anecdotes, accompanied by often humorously-related famous quotes, about knitting. Written for the knitting-obsessed or simply the knitting hobbyist, this quick read will re-inspire your knitting and make you long for more time with your neglected needles. At Knit's End definitely makes me want to read Pearl-McPhee's other books and her knitting blog....more

I expected this to be a business and career-oriented book about, essentially, how to get ahead. Turns out it's a very well thought out book on communiI expected this to be a business and career-oriented book about, essentially, how to get ahead. Turns out it's a very well thought out book on communication, psychology, and personal development. I would consider this an essential read for all human beings. Highly recommended. I listened to it in audio but will definitely be picking up a print copy and re-reading in the very near future....more